NOTE: Part II Book V: The Minds and the Masses, and Part III Book II: The Nineteenth Century have often been combined together and published under the title "The Minds and the Masses". An example of this format can be seen here. The text for these chapters currently has been taken directly from this source. Spot checks have suggested it is the same translation, but I have not yet verified it is exactly identical. This caveat will ultimately be corrected.

...please be patient

Preface

The true title of this work should be, "Apropos to Shakespeare." The desire of introducing, as they say in England, before the public, the new translation of Shakespeare, has been the first motive of the author. The feeling which interests him so profoundly in the translator should not deprive him of the right to recommend the translation. However, his conscience has been solicited on the other part, and in a more binding way still, by the subject itself. In reference to Shakespeare all questions which touch art are presented to his mind. To treat these questions, is to explain the mission of art; to treat these questions, is to explain the duty of human thought toward man. Such an occasion for speaking truths imposes a duty, and he is not permitted, above all at such an epoch as ours, to evade it. The author has comprehended this. He has not hesitated to turn the complex questions of art and civilisation on their several faces, multiplaying the horizons every time that the perspective has displaced itself, and accepting every indication that the subject, in its rigorous necessity, has offered to him. This expansion of the point of view has given rise to this book.

Hauteville House, 1864.

Note: The 'new translation' of Shakespeare references a translation published by Hugo's son, Francois Victor Hugo. This work was originally intended to serve as an introduction, but it became too long, and Hugo published it separately, and wrote another introduction for his son's work.